Oldham prize guys

Coach of the Year Scott Naylor (left) and Lewis Palfrey, player of the year

SCOTT Naylor and Lewis Palfrey bagged major League One prizes at last night’s Kingstone Press end-of-season awards dinner in Manchester.

Naylor was named coach of the year and Palfrey player of the year after Oldham’s best season for years. The club has already received the ;eague leaders’ trophy and on Sunday at Whitebank will face second-placed Keighley Cougars for promotion to the Championship.

Naylor told the awards audience: “I enjoy coaching more then playing - it’s not as painful! I have a great backroom team and a great set of players and it’s because of those people that I’m standing here.”

Palfrey said: “This award is a reflection on what the team has done. As a half-back I rely on my forwards. We’ve had a great year, but the job isn’t done yet. Our aim has always been to win promotion and nothing has changed.”

Oldham’s George Tyson was nominated for League One player of the year, but team-mate Palfrey has kicked more than 100 goals and scored over 250 points this season.

Roughyeds club chairman Chris Hamilton said both awards were thoroughly deserved: “What it doesn’t tell you is what Scott has got out of his players on a limited budget. We’re not the biggest spenders. He’s definitely been the division’s outstanding coach.

“Lewis is one of our biggest improvers, not so much relative to his own game, but to his captaincy, his game management and the requirements of his team.”